Two Weeks Later
"Alright Ren, this is your last appointment until tomorrow. Your interview that was this evening has been rescheduled for tomorrow morning at 6:30. Apparently the reporter's child got sick and she apologized for her last minute rescheduling. Also…" Ren nodded as Yashiro went on. He was glad that he would be able to have the night off. His schedule had been jam packed lately and he would really enjoy a night to relax and review the lines for this new drama.
Ren was still listening absently to Yashiro as they walked towards LME's elevators when a small figure rounded the corner to his left and almost ran straight into him. Ren's arm shot out and grabbed the small woman before she fell.
"Thank you, thank you." Ren helped the woman steady herself before releasing her arm, studying her features. She was definitely a foreigner; she was a foot shorter than him, her skin was a flawless gold. Her eyes were an astounding turquoise hue set in a heart shaped face. Her black hair was up in a bun, showing off her slender neck and delicate shoulders. She wore a plum colored blouse with long sleeves and straight black dress pants that showed off her slender frame and ample bosom. Her shoes were plain black pumps with two inch heels and she wore a minimal amount of makeup.
"There is no need to thank me. Are you alright?" Ren was in full on gentleman mode.
"Yes, yes, thank you." She had a slight accent, though her Japanese was near perfect. Her voice was soft and gentle.
"If you don't mind us asking, why are you in such a hurry?" Yashiro had come to stand beside Ren.
"Oh yes, yes. I am sorry. I am lost. I need to get back to conference room 607A but I cannot remember how to get there. I need to prepare for the meeting but all of my equipment is still in that room."
"Well, we can take you there. We are actually heading there ourselves."
"Really?! Oh thank you so very much." She fell into step on Ren's left side as he led the way to the elevators. She was watching them intently as the elevator climbed towards the sixth floor.
"I know of you. You are the actor that was chosen for one of the main roles in this drama. Tugura Rin, yes?"
"It's Tsuruga Ren."
"Yes, that's it!" The elevator doors opened and they stepped into hallway. "I have heard a lot about you. Is it true that you are the number one bachelor and a very popular actor right now?"
Ren chuckled slightly. "I am flattered that I have been labeled as so."
"So diplomatic."
Ren opened the door to the conference room and the foreign woman swept past him, flashing him a quick smile of thanks. She took a seat behind one of the nameplates marked Sliver Raincloud Inc. and opened the small laptop that lay there. Ren and Yashiro sat across from her, Ren still smiling. The foreigner smiled back and gave a little wink before checking her watch.
"I am sorry, but does this meeting not begin at 1?" Again Ren could hear the slight accent in her voice but he couldn't place it.
Yashiro nodded. "Our other actors and our directors should be here soon. They still have 5 minutes. It was only due to luck that our photo shoot wrapped up quickly or else we would not be here yet either."
The young woman gave a soft laugh that seemed to radiate warmth and gentleness. "Well, I am glad that you finished early. I would be very, very, lost if not for your help. I am very thankful. I arrived very early and I am sure that the rest of Silver Raincloud will be here soon." She smiled softly.
Ren smiled back and was about to ask her where she was from when the door opened.
"Please excuse us." In walked Kyoko. Ren inhaled slightly. She looked beautiful. Behind her were Kanae Kotonami and Amamiya Chiori. And they were all wearing their LoveMe uniforms. Ren heard the woman from Silver Raincloud gasp, and from the corner of his eye he could see her staring at them unblinkingly, her mouth open very slightly.
"Hello Mogami-san, Kotonami-san, Amamiya-san, how are you."
Kyoko grinned widely. "I'm fine, Tsuruga –san. I am really excited to be a part of this project."
"Excited or not, you are blocking the door." A heavily accented voice boomed from behind the LoveMe girls. They jumped and whirled around. Standing behind them was a very large man in a tailored grey pinstripe suit, with slicked back hair and piercing black eyes.
'It's a mobster.'
"Welcome to Tokyo, Mr. Smiles. I trust your flight was to your satisfaction?" The foreign woman had ceased her staring and had gotten to her feet, her voice cutting through their thoughts.
The man nodded curtly. "You are as impressive as ever, Ms. Kalakanuali, impressive as ever."
Ms. Kalakanuali smiled sweetly. "I aim to please sir." Mr. Smiles gave a gruff nod to her and looked back at the girls in pink. "Why are you still in my way?"
They stepped aside quickly and Mr. Smiles strode past them. Two ladies who seemed to be his assistants followed right behind, and took the seats to Ms Kalakanuali's right. Kyoko slid into the seat next to Tsuruga, with Amamiya and Kanae taking seats next to hers.
"He's scary." Ren chuckled quietly as Kyoko's muttered comment reached his ears. Ren could see how she would think that, but the young actor did not feel any ill intent emanating from the large man. To Ren, he just seemed rude, gruff and forward.
As the minutes ticked closer to 1pm, more and more people began to trickle into the room. Among the people he knew, he saw Director Ogata and Kijima as well as a Usuegi Hiou, who pointedly stole the seat next to Kanae right out from under Kijima, and his manager. Murasame Taira was there as well and Ren was thankful that Murasame didn't recognize him or Kyoko as the Heel Siblongs. Of those he didn't know included a very handsome woman in a white dress suit and two skinny men in somber grey jackets. The older of the two men seemed to have absolutely no grasp of Japanese.
When the clock struck 1, four seats still remained vacant; the three seats dedicated for the music representatives and the seat directly to Ms. Kalakanuali's left. Ms. Kanakanuali looked somewhat concerned, glancing from the seat to the clock to the door and back every few seconds.
The door open and Ren saw the woman glance up once again, eyes hoping, but as the three people filed into the room her face fell slightly. Kyoko stiffened beside Ren, her aura turning dark and her grudges began to appear. Ren looked up, and was barely able to keep the scowl off of his face. Fuwa Sho walked into the conference room, followed by his manager and a tall woman named Asami that Ren vaguely remembered as the producer and director of several successful music videos and PVs. They took the three seats reserved for the musical talents. Ren cursed all of the stars in the heavens. He couldn't believe that Fuwa was also a part of this project.
"You are late." Mr. Smiles was definitely not smiling now. "This meeting was to start ten minutes ago."
Sho glared at the foreigner. "I would have been here on time but I was almost attacked by a fan on my way in. I had to call security because she wouldn't stop demanding to be let in to see me."
Ms. Kalakanuali blanched at this. "A fan? Does this happen often?"
Sho smirked at her, eyes roaming over the slender woman. "Not really, but sometimes my fans just can't help themselves."
Mr. Smiles didn't even seem to care. "If this is not the first time you have had a rabid fan, then you should account for this when you plan your travel time. You are a professional, not a child. You have delayed this meeting."
Sho scoffed. "How is it my fault if I have extremely adoring fans. Besides, I still see another empty seat here, and it's for your company. I am here now, and they aren't."
Shoko gripped Sho's elbow. "Manners, Sho, be polite." She hissed. "Do not do something that I will have to apologize for later. You are here representing our company and this is a huge project. Do not start a fight."
The handsome woman, who had been addressed as Deedee by Mr. Smiles, nodded in response to Shoko's words. "Listen to your manager, Mr. Sho." Deedee's voice was somewhat low and carried a husky, sultry tone. "She says wise things. But you also do raise a fair point. Where is Ms. Monterro?" Deedee looked at Ms. Kalakanuali.
Ms Kalakanuali looked concerned. "I do not know. We came together but she went looking for a bite to eat. I hope that she did not get lost."
The younger businessman nodded. "We should send someone to look for her. If she is lost-"
The door swung open violently and a very tall woman dashed into the room. Kyoko, who had been glaring at Sho with hatred looked up and stared. This woman had to be the tallest woman that she had ever met. She had sun kissed beige skin and her dark brown hair was a mass of teeny-tiny braids that cascaded down her back. She wore dark jeans that hugged her long legs and a red leather jacket over a tight grey t-shirt. She was balanced on bright red heels so high that Kyoko really couldn't tell how tall the woman actually was before she plopped down in the vacant seat next to Ms. Kalakanuali. She fanned herself lightly with her hand as Mr. Smiles turned to glare at her.
"Carlita Monterro, you are very late. Do you believe that you are above curtesy?" His deep voice resonated with anger and annoyance.
"It's not my fault that I'm late." The woman retorted, leaning back in her chair slightly. Her accent was much thicker than the rest of the foreigners, though her Japanese was near perfect. "I was minding my own business and asking for directions back here when a runty kid called me a fan and had me tossed on my ass into the street. Took me forever to prove to those security guards that I actually had business here." She looked around and froze when her eyes landed on Sho. She jumped up and pointed a finger at the blond singer. "YOU'RE THAT RUNT!"
"Who let this fan back in here!?"
"Weren't you listening at all!? Or are your ears just for decoration!? I AM NOT YOUR FAN! I don't even know who the hell you are!"
"WHAT?! HOW DARE YO-" Sho was cut off by Ms. Kanakanuali.
"Cara, language. We are about to begin a very important meeting. And Mr. Fuwa, could you please refrain from shouting? We are here for business. Whatever personal vendetta you have against each other can be addressed on your own time. We have already wasted close to 30 minutes of this meeting and we have yet to even introduce ourselves. So may we please continue with the meeting and let bygones be bygones."
"Like hell I will, Lani. I don't care who he is, he-"
"Cara, be quiet." Her gentle tone grew stern. "And don't you start up either Mr. Fuwa. We have things to do and if you cannot accept that, then Silver Raincloud will have no choice but to request a different musician for this world-wide project. Same goes for you Carlita." Carlita stopped snickering and stared at the slender woman. "If you cannot handle this like a professional then you will be removed from this project and replaced with one of the other candidates."
Ren was impressed. Not only had Ms. Kalakanuali stopped what seemed to be an inevitable fight, but she also reprimanded both of them in a way that was neither hostile nor rude, but also left no room for arguments.
Sho opened his mouth to retort but a stern look from both Shoko and Asami made him think twice about it.
Yashiro cleared his throat. "I guess we should begin with introductions."
Deedee flashed a smile that showed almost all of her pearly white teeth. "Wonderful idea! I shall start us off, hmm?" Mr. Smiles nodded slightly. Deedee got to her feet. "My name is Deedee Grey and I am Silver Raincloud's hair, makeup and wardrobe expert. I am here to assist in any way I possibly can and will make you all look fabulous!"
She sat down and looked pointedly at Ren. "And you handsome?"
Ren grinned, and got to his feet. "My name is Tsuruga Ren and I am an actor with LME. I am honored to be a part of this project." He sat down gracefully. Deedee winked at him and turned to Yashiro. She had apparently decided that she should run this portion of the meeting.
Yashiro nodded from his chair. "I am Tsuruga Ren's manager, Yashiro Yukihito, pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Pleasure. And who are these lovely ladies in the outrageous pink jumpsuits." Blushing, Kyoko, Kanae, and Amamiya got to their feet. "They are Kyoko, Kotonami Kanae, and Amamiya Chiori. They all belong to LME's LoveMe section, though Amamiya-san is still contracted with Soft Hat entertainment agency." As Yashiro introduced them, they bowed and resumed their seats.
Hiou was up next and gave a very professional and polite, if not short, introduction for both him and his manager. Kijima was next, followed by Murasame, both of whom made Deedee gush at their handsomeness and bone structure before Mr. Smiles cleared his throat and she returned to the subject at hand.
"And you?" She asked Sho pointedly.
Sho smirked and reclined in his chair. It was Shoko who answered for him. "This is Fuwa Sho, musician with Akotaki Agency and a very popular singer right now. I am Shoko, his manager, and again I apologize for his earlier conduct." Sho scoffed, but surprisingly stayed quiet.
Asami stood up next, as did Ogata. They introduced themselves as the designated directors for the shoot. Deedee smiled at them and stood again when they were finished.
"Now may I introduce Mr. Dan Divoldi and Mr. Gregory Kelp." The two reedy men in suits stood. "Mr. Divoldi is a skilled director for Silver Raincloud and Mr. Kelp is our technology wizard." The younger man, Mr. Divoldi, bowed his head slightly while Mr. Kelp just looked bored. "Mr. Kelp cannot speak Japanese, but he can speak English fluently so if you need to talk to him, either speak in English or ask Mr. Divoldi to translate." Both men sat back down. Deedee gestured to Mr. Smiles and his two assistants.
"This is Mr. Dorian Smiles, one of Silver Raincloud's most sought after producers. His assistants are Gina Smith and Laura Gold. As Mr. Smiles has other obligations to attend to, one of his assistants will remain here in his stead." Mr. Smiles grunted slightly, while the blonde Laura and the redheaded Gina nodded briskly.
"Last, but not least, we have Carlita Monterro, who is Silver Raincloud's designated actress, and her manager Kailani Kalakanuali. Carlita has worked for Silver Raincloud for years and was the one who suggested that we do this joint project with the Japanese entertainment industry."
Carlita saluted them and Kailani bowed politely as their names were called.
"And now that we have the introductions out of the way, let us begin the meeting."